A look back at 2016

Here’s what you all thought of our wonderful celebrations of Veteran Horses in 2016

My name is Julie Houghton and my veteran horse is 17 years old and called Sundried Tomato, he is an exracer, It was our first time staying for the 3 days at VHS. ​Totally loved it and my boy was so chilled out, met some lovely people over our stay, we planned to sleep in my trailer and lasted only one freezing night, went into hotel for rest of stay..If you don't know anyone you will by the end of your stay. Totally enjoyed the whole atmosphere...

‘Vhs champs where older horses are promoted and friends are made!’ Myself with two lovely ladies out hacking at the champs , we all came down from the north in convoy and now are looking forward to beach rides and visiting one another back home.

It was our first visit to the show this year, and was such a friendly, well run show, we had an amazing time!I competed against some stunning horses and ponies, which all looked fantastic for their age.The society has inspired me to keep following my dreams as anything is possible, and that age is just a number!
Cheryl Giles + Golden Opportunity - Heidi (20)

Carrot has had another brilliant season aged 21 qualifying for the new Open class with a win at Allens Hill. At the Derbyshire festival where we got soaked through, not his favourite or mine but he was fantastic was ridden champion and reserve in-hand. So now he was all qualified.

Then off to the champs we went in September just for the Sunday as I wanted to save him, well we did the right thing and won the Open class with a fantastic score. He was also a star in the afternoon as the go round was rather manic to say the least, he did a good show to please Mr Marks and his strip impressed Mr Vale so again we had a win with another cracking score in a very strong class. I was absolutely delighted with my horse of a lifetime, it was also great to meet up with friends and make lots of new ones.

Now I would like to introduce Dylan, he’s the reason I was able to ride after the surgeons said’ you have no chance’.

Don’t get me wrong we have nearly lost him countless times, surgeons have called him a miracle, but his positive, strong welsh heart never gives up.

This year we revisited a bit of showing, starting our VHS journey. This was different the weekend was about getting Dylan and his best mate Rocket to Bury Farm to enjoy the weekend with our special boys but no longer about the rosettes, trophies.

The atmosphere from arrival to leaving was of celebrating these older horses, celebrating their achievements, and that we are still able to enjoy them.

Tears flowed that weekend and a lot of prosecco and our boys enjoyed every minute. We made new friends and feel we have joined the VHS family.

Thank you VHS, Liz Willetts

This is the winner of the Racehorse Championship Fools and Horses, rescued from a life of neglect 2yrs ago skinny, poor hoof condition and heavy in foal. Chance has made a remarkable recovery and has ended our first season under saddle on a high. This mare has a home for life now. Martine Harding

We really enjoyed the veterans show. This was the first time we have competed in pure veteran classes against astride riders, having qualified for the regional at the side saddle nationals. We were delighted to win our regional final on the Friday and qualify for the supreme and we're even more delighted to be placed 6th in the supreme final. Bizzie B was also riding club horse champion as well as taking the 'best horse side saddle' title. We were 3rd reserve in the Friday final, second in the novice dressage, second in the side saddle equitation class and 4th in the style and performance as she refused the first fence the cheeky madam 😂. Bb is now 20, What a weekend! We also attended the VHS/BD championships and came 3rd in the prelim (riding side saddle) and 5th in the novice (astride).

First or Last I owe it all to my wonderful pony.Rainbow who always looks after me- he is the best friend I could ever have ” I love you Rainbow and I owe it all to you ! Thankyou to all at VHS for a fab weekend we loved it. I came overalls Champion in the Grass roots. It was lovely to meet you all and meet some lovely new friends.

Best wishes, Lucy Mae Bush ( age 14 ) Grade IV Para Rider

This year was our first year at the championships and you could say Monty enjoyed his party so acted more like a 5year old all weekend!!!

We managed to pick up a rosette in almost all the classes we did.

My partner and his friend came along who are not horsey at all and they had a fab time.

We are already looking forward to next year, my fav class of the weekend was the dressage to music in fancy dress.

My doggies had a lovely time too.

Thanks to the VHS team who worked so hard xxx Lou Burns and Monty

“Qualifying for the Supreme Finals for Junior rider was a special event in itself but for Maddie to be placed third with her 21 year old Welsh cross Connolly was an extra special moment. Two years ago he wasn’t being ridden and his previous owners had written him off completely with his future looking quite dark. It was a fitting culmination to all the qualifying events and it was heartening to see so many great looking ponys and horses in such good condition that it would be hard to guess they were in their competing twilight years – great event that was well organised – Rosette has pride of place on the mantelpiece for the “our boy” and his young rider”.

‘ We found Fleurs Flight in July 2014 . He was depressed, old , too small and had sweet itch. But we took him home anyway . Best decision ever! ‘

Beth and Becky x

I have owned Ziggy for 7.5 years, he was a rescue so very little is known of his past, however based on the wee chap who would rear at his own shadow it is clear he has come such a long way.

We started with join up to give a solid foundation to our relationship before going on to lunging, long reining and in hand and ridden training.

As our relationship grew i decided we would try a local show to prove there was life beyond the field and outdoor school, a true test to the trust and to unleash the confident wee chap i had always been able to see through his nervous persona!!

Ziggy blew me away from his first show, taking 2nd and reserve champion followed by 3 wins at his next event, i chose to end the first season on a high and bring him out the following season as a veteran whereby he qualified for the vhs regionals at first attempt.

Ziggy aka Major Attitude and i have been very lucky to have had amazing success in our showing career to date as both an m&m and a veteran, claiming many championships along the way and this was topped by retaining our VHS reserve in hand supreme title for a second year running this year. I still cant describe the feeling of when our names were called out over the tannoy , my face in the pictures probably say it all- the pride i felt as if he’s a child, my nervous wee rescue has turned into a star.

He’s maybe small in stature but its my wee ‘major attitude’ who gives me the reason to get up every day!!

Arlene x

It was my first time competing at the Scottish supreme and I wasn’t really expecting much. It was our last show of the season so just wanted to have a nice enjoyable day. I had a very awful weekend and wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to compete, however we managed to go. So getting reserve ridden veteran of year and then reserve supreme veteran of the year completely shocked me to say the least and it was an incredibly proud moment . I couldn’t ask for a better pony she has been part of my family since before I was born so she truly is special. I had an amazing time at the supreme and I am hoping to return next year to compete and possibly try to do even better! Emma Thomson